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American singer and songwriter Jason Derulo has spoken candidly about the personal and professional impact of an ongoing sexual harassment legal battle—revealing that he has adopted a strict rule never to be alone in a room with a female colleague again.
The music star shared this during a sit-down with journalist Graham Bensinger, where he reflected on nearly two years of navigating allegations he insists are unfounded.
Derulo explained that the experience has reshaped his understanding of workplace dynamics and forced him to reevaluate how he interacts with women in professional settings. According to him, the repercussions of the lawsuit have extended far beyond the courtroom, costing him financially, emotionally, and socially.
“I will never be alone in a room with a woman that I work with… ever, ever again,” he said. “That case was dismissed twice. And I lost so many brand deals, relationships off of a story that was not even slightly believable. Why didn’t they post the dismissal at least? Wouldn’t that be fair?”
His comments refer to the lawsuit filed by aspiring singer Emaza Dilan, who accused him of sexual harassment and other misconduct connected to an attempted professional collaboration. While Derulo’s lawyers successfully secured dismissals of the suit in California and Nevada on procedural grounds, Dilan recently refiled the case in New York, where the legal process has begun anew. No court has yet ruled on the actual substance of the allegations, leaving both sides locked in a prolonged dispute.
Derulo emphasized that even though the claims have not been proven, the damage to his reputation has already been profound. He highlighted how the entertainment industry often reacts swiftly to allegations—long before any legal clarity is provided. He described losing endorsement deals, valuable partnerships, and even personal connections with individuals who distanced themselves after the accusations surfaced.
According to Derulo, one of the most painful aspects is how dismissals of the case received little attention compared to the original allegations. He questioned why media outlets quickly amplified the accusations but did not give equal visibility to the legal victories he had previously secured. The imbalance, he noted, contributed to a narrative that harmed his image even when courts found procedural issues with the earlier filings.
The experience has also shaped his behavior in ways he never anticipated. Derulo told Bensinger that as a public figure, he now feels compelled to protect himself from situations that could be misinterpreted or manipulated. This includes avoiding private meetings with women he works with—something he admits is unfortunate but necessary in his view. He suggested that the current climate leaves male entertainers especially vulnerable to reputational damage, even when formal investigations do not substantiate claims.
Beyond his personal concerns, Derulo expressed sympathy for genuine victims of sexual harassment, clarifying that his stance is not an indictment of women but a protective measure born from his own ordeal. He insisted that he values professionalism and fairness, while also urging the public to consider the consequences of amplifying unproven allegations.
As the legal battle continues in New York, Derulo remains adamant about defending his name. But regardless of how the case unfolds, he says the experience has permanently altered both his public life and private habits—changes he never expected but now accepts as part of navigating the modern entertainment industry.
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